Spirit Airlines opening crew base at DFW airport

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Spirit Airlines Inc. on Dec. 1 will open a flight attendant and pilot crew base at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport as it expands operations in Texas.

Spirit officials announced Tuesday about 170 flight attendants and 80 pilots are expected to use the home base by next summer.

The low cost carrier also plans an open house in Dallas for potential flight attendants. Applications will be accepted Thursday through Saturday.

Spirit began DFW service in May 2011 and currently offers 17 nonstop flights. Spirit in the next several months will add nine cities to its nonstop DFW schedule including New Orleans, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Los Cabos, Mexico.

The Florida-based carrier earlier this year opened a DFW maintenance base.